Project: Handmade Christmas

14Sep

Guess what my little elfin darlings? The ever present mass commercialism of the seasonal holidays is once again upon us. I was told today that the supermarkets are already stocking Christmas products. It’s only September.

Let me just say I love the Christmas holidays. I love the sunshine, the long days, the spending time with family and friends and that feeling that life is incredibly precious. Most of all, I love gift giving. That look on someone’s face when they open a gift and truly appreciate and delight in what you gave them, makes my little heart skip.

For the last few years I’ve been trying to add more handmade gifts to my Christmas gift giving arsenal. Sure, it takes time and organization. But I can tell you, pottering around at home getting my ‘craft on’ is a million times more pleasant than braving the hellish nightmare of a massive shopping centre.

So here’s my challenge. This year I’m going 100% handmade. I want to make and create gifts that you can eat, drink and use throughout the year. I already have some ideas but if any of you feel inspired to share your ideas, I’d love to hear them. I hope to share some of my projects without giving too much away. I still want my darlings to be surprised.

To get you in the mood, I present my Summerberry Jam pots from last year. Merry Christmas!!!

Fantastic! I’m so excited there are so many other DIY christmas gift givers! Oh my…I adore that lemonade recipe. Hmmmm, I think you’re going to have to pioneer that one and let us all know what its like! x

Maybe I’m the only person on earth that don’t like Christmas … for many reasons, but I love Christmas cards – both to write and receive. Still I wouldn’t mind some homemade jam as a present any time of the year.

Jen, thanks – I don’t like Christmas because of sad memories – I just don’t like it – because lonely people get more lonely – people spend far too much money and all that stress for only 3 days and they pay of the presents during the rest of the year. Christmas has gone out of hand – there is nothing about what Christmas could really be about anymore – it’s just full of MUST’s and everybody are totally worn out afterwards. it’s all our own fault, we put too much pressure on ourselves and it has gone to commercial.
Yes, I get quite a few cards and I like Christmas songs, but not if they start playing them in the beginning of November. Last week I saw a shop putting out Christmas items for sale. ??????

I love home made! I’m thinking of ideas I can give people as a home made gift that will brighten up their day. Last year, I gave bags with doodles on them as the wrapping paper for my presents. It was reusable and made with ♥.

What a great idea. One year we did cookie mixes in a jar two different kinds and a special hot cocoa mix as well. It was so much fun.🙂 For a long time every year I made something really cool. You have inspired me. I shall make them again this year and blog about them. WoooHoooo Awesome post.

Hello hello🙂 I think you already saw my ramble on FB huh? But yes, I really love all things that are involved with Christmas preparation whether it is the gits or food or singing tunes (all year long…) I love it. I don’t really like that the shops get the holiday decorations up on the shelves begin September though. There’s no transition from Summer to Fall haha. Ah well The last few years were really hectic and I couldn’t do a whole lot, but last year I started with sending my own Christmas cards again and this year I am pondering to make something too, like homemade fudge or something. Only problem for me is that I have lots of people living abroad, so I’m already buying stamps in advance hehe. I am already working on a few things for my own shop, but I certainly give most of the ideas a Christmas twist (magnets, coasters etc.) that I could give away.

I so adore your jam jars! Too cute! I can’t ship out things like that to everyone I want though, shipping for a package that doesn’t fit in a mailbox is already like $20 dollars for me and this is without a tracking code. Ridiculous huh?

Lol hey TJ! Yep I sure did. It sounds like we have lots in common when it comes to Christmas!!
I know what you mean about posting gifts o/s and across the country. If you’d like to see some light weight/easy posting gifts, let me know. I have a few ideas.🙂

Oh! And THANK YOU for liking my blog as well!! Totally overlooked that part haha

Nerida Craggy-Hoop

September 27, 2012 at 4:31 pm

I made a grrrreat banana cake for my pals for Xmas last year but did not mass-package it because i did not know how to! So we just ate it after lunch. Then we nicked off to the beach. But now i am re-inspired to do this – how can i package my cake for my friends? I want to include a photo of it but i can’t copy photos to these comments can I?? It’s an old recipe from me nan Myfanwy…